Animated display device



Oct 10, 1.933- R. A. FLETCHER ANIMATED DISPLAY DEVICE Filed July 30, 1932 Patented Oct. 10, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 5 Claims.

This invention relates to advertising and display devices and more particularly to an improved device for advertising by means of animated display.

It is an object of my present invention to provide a simple and inexpensive advertising device adapted to attract the attention of on-lookers by the animation or movement of certain of its parts, and constructed to withstand long continuous usage without changing the relation of its parts.

More specically it is an object to provide an animated advertising device of the class described which will be actuated by the slight vibratory movements of the wall or other support on which my device is mounted. My device is especially applicable for use upon the walls or windows of a motor vehicle or for street car or railroad advertising.

A further object is to provide a device of the class described wherein a sensitive oscillatory member is mounted upon a sign or other display medium and associated with pictorial matter or other indicia of the sign and so counter-balanced and constructed that it will oscillate when the sign is vibrated and will always maintain a predetermined relationship with reference to the pictorial matter or indicia with which it is associated.

I am aware that there has been some development in animated devices of this type, utilizing a spring or other resilient means for effecting the vibratory movement. In such devices, however, the tension of the resilient means will vary after long use and no provision is made for adjusting the relation of the oscillatory member with reference to the sign or other display medium on which it is mounted. v

In my structure the oscillatory member is counterbalanced by a weight xed to a pivot member and the angulation or position of the weight with reference to the oscillatory member may be quickly varied to adjust the normal position of the animated part.

The foregoing and other objects will be apparent from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:-

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of an embodiment of my animated display device, the dotted lines indicating moved positions of the visible animated part;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary rear elevation showing the mounting of the pivot member and the counter-balancing weight xed thereto;

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a detail view showing the pivot member, the counter-weight supporting arm and the attachment means for securing the animated element with the pivot;

Fig. 5 is a detail view illustrating a suitable attachment and spacing bracket for the sign, and

Fig. 6 is a View showing a somewhat different form of the invention where the animated element is mounted at the rear of the sign and alternately disappears from and is projected into view.

Referring to the form shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, I provide a suitable frame or support which may be in the form of a plate P constructed of cardboard, sheet metal or other suitable material, preferably having an exterior surface upon which pictorial matter and advertising may be printed or otherwise reproduced. On the plate P of the embodiment illustrated the head and shoulders of a man are pictorially represented and the extended forearm of the man is represented by an oscillatory plate 7 mounted on the front surface of sign plate P and shaped and decorated to be associated with the shoulders and upper arm portion pictured on the sign. As shown, the plate '7 includes the pictorial representation of a bottle grasped in the pictured hand. It will, of course, be understood that while the representation of the human arm is shown in the drawing, innumerable symbolic displays where an animated part is associated with other pictured parts may be made, all within the scope of my invention.

The animated plate 7 is suitably aiiixed to a pivot 8 which extends normal to the plane of plate P. As shown, animated plate '7 is fixed by means of a disk 8a provided with two or more tangs 8b which may penetrate the plate and be secured thereto by turning the extremities of the tangs after penetration. The rear end of vpivot 8 has affixed thereto a boss 9 which rigidly carries a depending weight carrying arm 10. Said weight carrying arm 10 is preferably constructed of stiff wire or other suitable material which is substantially rigid, but which may be bent and when bent will retain its shape. A counter-weight 11 is secured to arm 10 and, if desired, suitable means may be provided for adjustably securing the weight to the arm, such as, for example, a pair of apertured lugs or eyes 11a integrally formed with weight 11 and constructed of such material that they may be crimped or flattened against the arm 10 to rigidly connect the arm with the Weight in the desired position. A spacing Washer 12 is p'referably mounted on pivot 8 and interposed between the rear surface of the sign plate P and the boss 9. To space arm 10 some distance from the plate P the weight 11 is preferably secured to the inner side of arm 11 with its inner surface spaced a slight distance from plate P to facilitate free swinging of the animated part.

The combined weight of counter-weight 11 and arm l is such that the oscillatory plate 'l will be normally disposed in a desired predetermined position With reference to the pictured elements or indicia with which it isassociated.

Plate P is suitably mounted upon a wall or other supporting surface which is subjected to slight vibratory movements, such as, for example, Walls or windows of a motor vehicle, railroad car or street car. In this connection it is desirable to space the plateY P a sufficient distance from the supporting surface to prevent frictional engagement of the pivot member 8 and its associated parts with the support, to assure a free swinging movement of the animated parts. To this end, attachment and spacing brackets 13, such as are illustrated in Fig. may be secured to the four corners of plate P, said brackets having off-set attachment iianges 13a whichmay be secured to the wall.

It will, of course, be understood that any suitable attachment means for the plate may be substituted which will space the plate an adequate distance from'the supporting wall or surface.

A slight vibration of the plate P in a longitudinal direction causes the counter-weight 11 to produce'a pendulum action, oscillating the pivot 8 and with it the plate 7 which is exposed to view. The oscillations or animation of the plate 7 in its association with the other pictured or symbolic parts of the signquickly attracts the attention and interest of onlookers, greatly increasing the value of the sign as an advertising medium.

In Fig. 6 the structure is generally similar'to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. l. It will be noted, however, that the plate or frame P is cut in such a manner as to have a recess formed Within the borders thereof. The animated element or plate 7 is mounted on the rear of plate P', the pivot attachment and counter-balancing being similar to the form shown in Fig. 1, but being disposed on the same side'of the plate as the oscillatory member 7. l

In the operation of this formyit will be noted that upon vibration of the sign or plate P' the animated element 7 will alternatelyv disappear behind and be projected beyond the edge 14 of the plate.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have invented an extremely simple and highly eiiicient animated advertising device adapted to be manufactured at very low cost and capable of wide general use in connection with most types of signs or displays,

It will be apparent that the oscillatory plate or animated element will always be maintained in the same relation to the associated symbolic parts of the sign plate regardless of the usage to which the device is put. If it is desired to adjust the normal position of the animated element 7 relatively to the plate P, it is only necessary to bend the Weight carrying arm to the proper position. When once adjusted, proper relationship will be maintained.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, proportions and parts Without departing from the scope of my invention, which, generally stated, consists in a device capable of carrying out the objects of the invention, and as dened. in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:-

lpAn animated display device comprising a support, an oscillatory element freely pivoted to said support and extending substantially parallel to a surface thereof, a pivot member to which said oscillatory element is fixed, a counter-balancing weight connected to said pivot member for normally Vholding said oscillatory element in a predetermined position and for effecting oscillation of said element when said support is subjected to vibrations and means for adjusting the position of said Weight with reference to said pivot member to adjust the normal position of said oscillatory element.

2. An animated display device comprising a plate having a recessed portion, an oscillatory element freely pivoted to the rear of said plate and having a display portion projectable from behind said plate into the recessed portion thereof and means for counter-balancing said oscillatory element for effecting oscillation thereof when said plate is subjected to vibrations to alternately project and retract said element into View at the recessed portion of said plate.

3. An animated display device comprising a support, an oscillatory element freely pivoted upon said support, said oscillatory element having a pivot member, a weight-carrying arm fixed to said pivot member and constructed of material which may be forcibly bent and which will retain its assumed shape when bent and a weight connected to said arm.

4. An animated display device comprising a support, an oscillatory display element, a pivot member freely journaled in said support and having a plurality of spaced tangs at one end engaging said oscillatory element and non-rotativelysecuring the same to said pivot member and means for counter-balancing said oscillatory member to normally hold the same in a predetermined position and to effect oscillation of said element When said support is subjected to vibrations.

5. An animated display device comprising a plate having a surface adapted for advertising material, an oscillatory element freely pivoted to said plate on an axis extending normal thereto and disposedtat the front of said plate, said oscillatory element including a pivot member, a counter-balancing weight xed to said pivot member at the rear side of said plate and means at the rear of said plate for attaching said plate to and spacing said plate from a supporting wall with freedom for said Weight to swing.

ROLAND A. FLETCHER. 

